Working With Phantoms

The Day of Bad Omens

July 29th

It had been a week since Madran and Akira cured Futaba's heart, with everyone engaging in various activities to await Futaba's response. According to Makoto, as Madran had heard, both she and Akira found Futaba asleep on Sojiro's front porch and brought her back to her room, where a doctor friend of Akira's went to check on her. Then, everyone figured out that due to Futaba's rather poor health, her passing out for days on end was normal, due to what Sojiro told them. Due to this, Madran gave a week until she met up with Akira in the cafe.

"So, uh, Akira, you said that she woke up?"

"Yep."

Madran sat with Akira in a booth. It was incredibly hot outside, so the cool air-conditioned cafe was amazing for her sanity.

"Um, is she here?"

"Yeah, she's upstairs, she... uh, she didn't want to be around a buncha people."

"How exactly did you figure out what happened to Futaba, anyways?"

Madran looked to see an inquisitive Sojiro.

"Well, you see, mom's a lawyer, so, when she wasn't looking, I read some case files."

"Hmm. You'd be a government worker's worst nightmare."

"Gee, thanks."

Madran and Sojiro exchanged amused chuckles before she stood up.

"Well, Akira, shall we?"

"Sure."

Madran then went up the stairs, where she found Futaba sitting at a table. Examining the room further, she saw a neatly-sorted living space with a futon bed, a shelf with things that Akira had nabbed from palaces on it, and Morgana perched on the table next to Futaba.

"Oh, it's the fluffy one."

Futaba looked over at Madran as she sat down.

"Heya, Futaba."

"Hey."

Madran noticed that Futaba looked incredibly awkward, much like a large fish in a minuscule puddle.

"Uh, thanks for your help."

"For, uh, the palace?"

"Mmm hmm. I like that old grandma of yours."

"Who, Wysteria?"

"Yep. She's scary, and very cool."

Madran noticed that Futaba looked a bit more comfortable.

"Hey, Futaba, do you like to read?"

"Ok, so, are you one of those people who count manga as books?"

"Sure. I mean, they tell a story and stuff."

"Yeah, I read a lot of manga and also some cool books from time to time. Uh, I found this one book, Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei. It's a sappy romance that includes a lotta demons and stuff, kinda like your persona business. It was weird, though, it was all over the book section when I checked it out."

"Wait, you don't go out, how did you...?"

"Online shopping."

"Oh, nice. I do that a lot, too. Other times, I check out some cool bookstores."

"Did she say what I thought she said? Megami Tensei..."

"That's odd. We should check the book out soon."

"Hey, Madran, uh, are you listening?"

"Oh, sorry. What did you say?"

"I asked if you write books. I mean, I saw some drafts of a few stories on your computer..."